Egg-case fastener



(No Model.) l

W. D. MAYFIBLD. EGG OASE FASTBNBR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLAM DUDLEY MAYFIELD, OF FORT YVORTH, TEXAS.

v EGG-CASE FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `*Patent No. 565,115, dated August 4, 1896. Application filed October 15,1895. Serial No. 565,782. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM DUDLEY MAY- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort iVorth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Egg-Case Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention vrelates to eggrcases and packages of similar character designed for shipping goods and Which are required to be returned to the consigner to be again used; and the invention relates most especially to the means employed for securing the cover or top in place against accidental displacement under ordinary conditions and which will obviate the lnarring of the case or the cover, as usually results Where removable fastenings, such as pointed Wires or nails, are employed.

The fastening, While especially adapted and particularly designed for egg-cases, can be applied to boxes and packages Whose tops or covers are required to be secured by positive means against accidental displacement and which are designed to be used time and again.

For a full understanding` of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the following description; and to this end the improvement consists of certain details, novel features, and combinations of parts, which hereinafter Will be more particularly set forth, illustrated, and claimed.

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of a case or package, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line X X of Fig. l. Fig. 3 isa top plan View of a portion of the case or box cover, showing the fastener in locked relation. Fig. a is a detail View showing the connection between the cover and the box or case. Fig. 5 shows a modification of the connection.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denotesimilar and corresponding parts in all the figures, l indicates the case or box, and 2 the top or cover, the latter being secured to the box or case by positive connections 3, which will admit of the cover being removed and lturned down' alongside of the case, and which Will prevent loss or displacement of the said cover. These connect-ions are preferably rawhide strings or straps, as shown in Fig. et, or they may be formed of Wire, which latter has its end portions bent and fitted into the cleat of the cover and the end of the case or box. The sole purpose of these connections is to prevent the separation and loss of the cover; and any means that will attain this end may be employed and is contemplated by the term connection.

The top or cover 2 is of sucha length as to come between the ends 4 of the case or box, and is of a Width to overlap and be supported upon the top ed ges of its sides, and is strengthcned at its ends by cleats 5,'Which are of a length to extend between the sides 6 of the case or box and thereby prevent lateral displacement of the cover. The middle partition 7 is protected at its upper edge by a strap or plate of iron S, which will preclude the driving of a nail or similar fastening through the cover into the said partition, thereby compelling the merchant or consignes to resort to the fastening provided to secure the cover to the box.

A transverse opening 9 is-provided in the cover opposite the partition 7, and its edges or Walls are flared upwardly and outwardly to admit of ready access to the locking-Wedge lO, which is located and operates in the bottom portion of the said opening, and is supported by means of a plate ll, secured to the under side of the cover opposite the opening 9. This plate ll has a channel or groove l2, in which reciprocates the locking-Wedge l0, and this channel is slightly Wider than the opening 9, and ribs 13 project laterally from the sides of the locking-Wedge l0 and operate in the space formed immediately beneath the edge portion of the cover bordering upon the opening 9 and overlapping the channel or groove l2. By this means the locking-Wedge is secured in the channel or groove against accidental displacement. The locking-wedge is formed With a longitudinal slot 14, Which is enlarged near the smaller end of the Wedge, forming an opening 15, through which is adapted to pass the head of the fastening 16, secured in the upper edge of the partition 7, and notches 17 are provided at intervals along the sides of the slot 14 to receive the head of the fastening 16, so as to secure the lockingn IOO wedge in the adjusted position. An opening 18 is provided in the plate ll for the passage therethrough of the head of the fastening 16.

The fastening 16 may be of any desired forin so long as its upper end is enlarged or provided with a head to overlap the sides of the slot in the locking-wedge and engage therewith and hold the cover firmly in place, but for the sake of simplicity and economy of construction the said fastening consists of an' ordinary wood-screw let into the upper edge of the partition 7, and this screw can be moved either in or out to secure the proper distance between its head and the lockingwedge to attain a positive and firm connection between the fastening 16 and the locking-wedge. The plate ll may be either of metal or wood, the latter rbeing preferred, but the locking-wedge is of cast metal, so as to withstand the wear and strain to which it is subjected, and this locking-wedge is formed at its larger end with a depression to receive the linger or a suitable tool to enable the locking-wedge to be moved forward. or withdrawn from an operative position, as required.

In disposing the parts the upper edge of the partition 7 should extend within a short distance of the'lower side of the plate l1, so that the middle portion of the cover can be depressed by applying pressure to its top side, thereby admitting of the locking-wed ge being easily moved forward, and when the pressure is removed from the cover the latter will v spring, so as to cause the notches in register with the head of the fastening 16 to receive the said head, and thereby secure the lockingwedge in a positive manner against accidental displacement. To loosen the lockingwedge, the cover can be depressed or the locking-wedge may be struck a smart blow, so as to disengage its notches from the head of the fastening 16, as will be readily comprehended.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. The combination with a box and its cover having an opening, of a headed fastening applied to the box, a plate secured to the cover opposite the said opening and formed with an opening to receive the headed end of the fastening, and a longitudinally-slotted lockingwedge supported by the said plate and havin g the longitudinal slot enlarged at the smaller end of the wedge to receive the headed fastenin g, andhaving notches on each side of the said longitudinal slot to receive the head of the said fastening to secure the locking-wed ge in a positive manner in the located position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a box having a partition and its cover having an opening op posite the said partition, of a plate secured to the under side of the cover opposite the open ing therein and having a groove or channel in the side adjacent to the said cover, and hav ing an opening, a headed fastening secured to the said partition and adapted to pass through the opening of the plate, a lockingwedge operating in the opening of the cover and in the said channel of the plate and hav- Y in g laterally-extendin g ribs to project beneath the edge portions of the cover bordering upon the opening therein, said lockingwedge hav ing a longitudinal slotwhich is enlarged at the smaller end of the wedge, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a box having a partition, and a headed fastening adj ustably connected with the said partition, of a cover, and a longitudinally-slotted locking-wedge mounted upon the cover and having its slot enlarged at the smaller end of the wedge, and having notches along the sides of the said slot so that the head of the aforesaid fasten ing may become firmly seated in the proper notch and held thereinby the spring of the cover, substantially in the manner set forth for the purpose described.

at. In combination, a box having a vertical partition having its upper edge protected by a metal strap, a headed fastening adjustably connected with the upper edge of the said partition, a cover overlapping the top edges of the box sides and having its'ends coming between the ends of the box', said cover having a transverse opening whose walls iiare upwardly, a channeled plate secured to the under side of the cover opposite to the opening therein and formed with an opening to receive the headed fastening, and a longitudiA nally-slotted locking-wedge having a depression at its larger end and having the slot enlarged at the smaller end of the wedge, and having notches along the sides of the said slot, and having laterally-extending ribs to engage beneath the projecting edge portions of the transverse opening in the cover, the notches of the locking-wedge being engaged with the headed fastening by depressing the cover, substantially in the manner set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM DUDLEir M Ai' FIEL D.

Vitnesses:

GEO. E. BRYAN, J. J. C'URRY.

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